Pushing back against claims of ‘alarming neglect’ made in a recent petition that’s been gaining traction online, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) management says that it has received a strong performance rating in an independent management review, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to the organisation, TMNP was awarded an overall score of 75% for how it’s implementing its management plan across six key areas, including biodiversity management (66%), cultural heritage (43%), community engagement (57%), bioregional management (43%), responsible tourism (90%) and effective park management (89%).
The independent review was done by Conservation Outcome, a biodiversity non-governmental organisation that supports the development and management of land for biodiversity conservation, which is also a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
‘This report provides us with factual and objective information, which allows SANParks to continue with its management of Table Mountain National Park based on science and evidence-based detail,’ SANParks said in a statement.
The results come in the wake of a petition launched by community group Friends of Table Mountain, with support from other stakeholders including Take Back Our Mountains and Love Our Trails.
The petition, which Cape {town} Etc previously reported on, accuses SANParks of allowing TMNP to deteriorate under its watch, citing everything from underfunding and unchecked crime to poor ecological oversight and crumbling facilities.
SANParks, however, described the petition as ‘misleading’ and containing ‘a number of factual inaccuracies’.
‘This overall positive assessment comes amid the unfortunate circulation of a misleading petition issued by a small group of stakeholders opposed to the current management of TMNP,’ read the statement.
Cape {town} Etc Discount Alert!
Unlock Cape Town’s best experiences for half the price! From unforgettable adventures to hidden gems and mouthwatering restaurants, these limited-time deals won’t last long. Snag your discount before they’re gone!
Responding directly to specific concerns raised in the petition, SANParks highlighted the following ‘factual inaccuracies’:
- Persistent high crime rates: ‘Facts are that we had a crime incident spike in January to March this year, but the figures have since dropped back to single-digit incidents. In the past year, the figures were primarily in the region of single digits.’
- Religious groups-related fires: ‘Fact is that the majority of fires are caused by arsonists and vagrants. Religious groups account for about 10% of fires in the past three years.’
- Safety concerns from foreign consulates: ‘The fact is that the safety warnings issued by foreign consulates relate to South Africa as a whole and not Table Mountain alone.’
- Conservation mandate failure: ‘The fact is that we have a management plan to control alien vegetation. We also have an Extended Public Works programme to clear alien vegetation with the support of collaborative NGOs.’
- Unrepaired boardwalks: ‘The fact is that this is in a specific area at Maclears Beacon due to boardwalks built on a wetland, which rot over time. We are now purchasing split poles to replace the decaying wooden boards.’
- Infrastructure at-risk: ‘The fact is we have had a few fires this year, and the infrastructure that burnt down was toilet blocks at Silvermine. No infrastructure was damaged during the Newlands ravine fire, Tokai and Muizenberg fires.’
- Decaying tourism infrastructure: ‘The fact is that we have tenders issued to refurbish and renew infrastructure such as Rhodes Memorial, Hoerikwaggo trail and Orange Kloof tented camp.’
- 76% of the R430m was sent to other parks: ‘The fact is that last year we clarified to Take Back Our Mountain that the R107m referenced in their claim represents only direct, park-level expenditure. It does not account for essential corporate-level costs.’
In the petition, Friends of Table Mountain and its partners called for comprehensive action to restore and protect Table Mountain, including a public acknowledgement from the SANParks’ CEO that TMNP requires a significantly larger operational budget and a clear plan to achieve this increase.
In response, SANParks in its statement called for all parties involved to pursue a ‘constructive and collaborative’ relationship.
‘Throughout all its national parks, SANParks intentionally pursues collaborative relationships. The organisations concerned are encouraged to rather continue with a relationship that is constructive and collaborative in nature as opposed to acrimony and misleading information,’ the organisation concluded.
At the time of publication, the petition has garnered a total of 5 285 signatures.
Also read:
Picture: Rutendo Petros / Unsplash
